Universal Scaling Behaviour of Subgrain Size Evolution in Face-Centered Cubic Metals With Moderate to High Stacking Fault Energy

A universal scaling of subgrain size evolution in face-centered cubic (fcc) metals with moderate to high stacking fault energy is proposed for a class of deformation processing applications based on severe plastic deformation inherent to chip formation in Plane Strain Machining (PSM). The complex trajectories of grain refinement followed by PSM are captured using two parameters — the effective strain and the parameter “R” that is a function of the strain-rate, temperature and material dependent constants. Proposed parameterization entails a weak contribution of strain and “R” interaction which enables examining the athermal evolution of subgrain size. This approach yields that the subgrain size behavior, under the PSM thermomechanical conditions, obeys a universal scaling law while scanning along the strain levels.